sr^aBKf  ;2r:;;a5Hi-    mJO*.. 


T^._;:r'  ■■ '"  ■»'•. '  '-"■- ^^^rt^iffs:;.'-.-! 


v^SJJft^Tifat;^  - 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


•^  IM    III  2.2 

1.8 


:ir  1^ 


1.4 


1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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^■migl0tfmm 


CiHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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tm 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibiiographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
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-ju'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
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une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normaie  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
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Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

CoSoured  Ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
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I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 


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Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

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□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 


D 


D 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdriAure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais.  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pagus  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


D 
D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
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Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film6es  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


C 


12X 


16X 


20X 


26X 


30X 


El 

24X 


28X 


32X 


"•'»*»»ii»» 


laire 
s  details 
ques  du 
It  modifier 
[iger  une 
le  filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
gdndrositd  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6x6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


i/ 
|u6es 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  Original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  --^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  r  mt  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comportn  une  empreir^e 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


aire 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  6  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film6  6  partir 
de  Tangle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  6  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


by  errata 
ned  to 

lent 

une  pelure, 

faqon  6 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

-'"^•■WBAW 


..•^wWJHWjgiWi'.'fiwaifiil 


,<<i»*4»J|l«ji*l*«*»»'«- 


'*  KOK  (JlIKISt  ANU  THE  OlUKCH." 


DraiPtng  tt?e  Het. 

-  -  -  roR  -  -  - 
PRAYER  ■  MEETING     WORKERS. 


FAMILIAR   LETTERS 


"■';.■> 


Francis  E/^Clahk,  D.  D., 

rHKKIDKNTUr  TIIK  TnITKI)  HwlKTY   ttV  C'HBIBTIAN   KHOKAVOH. 


rorvmoBTKi)  1 


rilBLlKllINO  I>BI-AKTMEHT 
UNITKU  BOCIETY  OK  CHKIBTIAN  r.NDKAVOB, 

00  BaonriBLD  strect,  boston,  Ham. 

IW). 


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■srr 

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"^  My  Dear  Friknds  : 

^      Let  113  seriously  face  the  question  which,  after  all,  is 
^  tile  most  serious  one  we  ever  have  to  face  after  we  have 
once  given  our  own  hearts  to  Christ. 

A  SERIOUS  QUESTION. 

Are  you  doing  all  that  you  can  to  make  otliers 
acquainted  with  our  Saviour? 

AVhat  are  you  doing  as  an  individual  ?     , 

What  is  your  society  doing? 

What  plans  are  you  laying? 

I  have  a  very  great  longing  and  so  have  you,  I  am 
sure,  that  this  season  should  see  among  all  cur  scjieties 
the  manifestation  of  God's  power  as  never  before. 

The  conditions  are  all  favorable,  so  far  as  human 
vision  can  see.  Never  before  was  there  such  a  great, 
united  and  devoted  host  of  young  people  enlisted  for 
this  service,  never  l)efore  was  there  manifested  such 
enthusiasm  or  deep  consecration ;  it  only  remains  for  us 
to  apply  this  power  under  God's  direction,  so  that  His 
Holj'  Spirit  may  reach  the  hearts  of  myriads  of  our 
friends. 

We  have  been  i-ejoicing  for  mouths  as  we  have  thought 
of  the  thousands  of  our  associate  members  reported  a» 
last  year  brought  into  the  churches.  There  is  no  reason 
why,  during  the  coming  year,  that  number  may  not  be 
greatly  increased. 


iiiir;*|irtfc'aftifcirtWi\"-iViWiii'LiliH'iiXtu>-'^teWiiJSii>»^'!'UM*W'Wl''..<*aA 


WHY    WE   KXI8T. 

It  wo\M  be  a  good  plan  for  every  society  to  ask  itself 
tliese  <iue8tion8 :  What  are  we  establisheii  for?  Why  do 
we  existv  Certainly  not  for  the  sake  of  tlie  Christian 
Knileavor  cause.  Tiiere  is  no  i-eason  why  this  movement 
should  grow  except  as  it  does  Christ's  work  in  the 
worhl.  We  <lo  not  exist  for  the  sake  of  keeping  up  a 
nourishing  local  society,  or  merely  for  the  sake  of  having 
good  meetings,  or  vigorous  committees,  or  doing  a 
certain  amount  of  work.  ',  . 

A  QUESTION  OK  RE81LT8. 

Wlial  do  the  committees  accomplish  V  What  do  the 
meetings  result  in?  i'hose  are  tlie  only  <iuestions  wortJi 
considering. 

When  1  was  in  Scranton,  tlic  other  day,  I  was  nmch 
interested  in  tlie  great  steel  mills,  which  at  night,  witli 
tlieir  belching  flames  and  multitudinous  sparks,  illumine 
all  the  region.  But  those  great  works  do  not  exist 
simply  for  the  sake  of  keeping  men  employed,  much  less 
for  tlie  sake  of  throwing  oft'  showers  of  sparks.  They 
exist  for  just  one  purpose— to  make  steel  rails,  strong, 
symmetrical,  serviceable  steel  rails.  Our  societies  exist 
for  no  other  purpose  than  to  make  strong,  symmetrical, 
serviceable  Cliristians  for  the  Church  of  Christ.  Those 
swarthy  workmen  wlioni  I  saw  did  not  symnd  ail  tlieir 
time  over  the  same  rails,  remelting  and  recasting  them, 
but  they  were  continually  bringing  in  new  ore,  melting 
it  and  fashioniug  it,  until  it  assumetl  the  proper  proper- 


y  to  ask  itst^lf 
for?  Why  do 
tlie  Chrlatiui) 
;hl8  inovemeHt 
work  in  the 
keeping  up  ii 
Kiike  of  having 
;,  or  doing  a 


WJiat  do  th.' 
Liestious  wortJi 

y,  I  was  much 
at  niglit,  with 
)urks,  illumine 
do  not  exist 
yed,  mucli  less 
sparks.  They 
I  rails,  strong, 
•  societies  exist 
;,  symmetrical, 
Christ.  Those 
si>end  all  their 
coasting  them, 
w  ore,  melting 
proper  propor- 


tion and  toughness.  That  is  just  what  every  Christian 
Endeavor  Society  should  do — hring  In  new  material,  get 
it  under  the  melting  power  of  (lod's  l<>ve,  fashion  it  by 
prayer  and  service,  until  it  is  ready  <or  Ills  work. 

This  work  will  not  do  itself.  God  has  given  it  to  the 
Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  to  do. 

ARK  YOr    I'LANNINO   FUR  IT? 

Tliough  in  one  sense  the  conversion  of  souls  is  all 
God's  work,  in  anotiier  sense  it  is  our  work  as  well,  and 
we  are  entirely  faithless  to  our  trust,  and  unmindful  of 
our  privilege,  unless  we  do  it. 

To  allude  to  those  steel  works  again.  They  were 
definitely  planned  for  a  definite  purpose.  Tlie  iron  and 
coal  are  not  dumped  together  with  the  expectation  that 
good  steel  rails  will  result,  but  with  great  ingenuity 
and  immense  lal)or  and  the  wisest  foresight,  the  works 
were  built,  and  the  machinery  set  up,  and  labor  subdi- 
vided and  organized,  and  the  result  is, — the  perfect  rail. 
Nothing  would  ever  have  been  accomplislied  had  these 
wise  plans  not  been  laid. 

And  now  to  return  to  the  question  that  concerns  us  as 
societies.  Are  we  planning  wisely  to  uecomplisli  our 
work  this  winter? 

GOD   HONORS  HUMAN   PLANS. 

Do  not  be  led  away  by  the  false  notion  that  to  plan 
for  these  things  is  somehow  to  dishonor  God,  and  to 
disci-edit  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  there  could  be  no 


)(raver  mistake.  All  the  history  of  the  I'lm.cli  provea 
that,  iuetead  of  wise  human  plans  for  revivals  and  tlie 
i-onversiou  of  souls  dishouoriuK  Gml,  God  honors  these 
plans.  The  whole  history  of  the  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor,  whose  object  is  to  work  for  just  these  things, 
is  a  proof  of  this,  for  the  society  is  one  of  God's  humble 
instrume  its  to  this  end. 

The  only  thing  that  dishonors  God  is  a  lazy,  shiftless 
do-nothinglsm  an<l  ff>rc-nothingism. 


I-ET  THESE  PLANS  BE  DKFISITK. 

Do  not  sinjply  say  in  a  general  way,  '"We  must  have 
a  revival  this  winter,  and  bring  some  of  our  as8<^ici:ite 
members  into  tlie  church,"  but  plan  the  matter  out 
.definitely,  step  l»y  step,  always,  of  couTe,  with  nmch 
prayer  and  constant  reliance  upon  God,  and  then  carry 
out  these  plans  in  the  same  spirit. 

BE  PERSISTENT. 

Let  this  be  no  spasmodic  ettbrt.  Do  not  become 
discouraged  if  every  plan  does  not  succeed  in  just  the 
way  yon  expected  it  would.  Your  failures  may  be 
God's  successes,  and  out  of  the  seeming  failures  may 
com  something  wiser  and  better  than  you  could 
possii  ly  have  dreamed. 

nan  for  a  whole  voitOer^M  campaign;  not  simply  for  the 
Week  of  Prayer,  though  tliat  is  a  very  important  factor, 
1)ut  have  every  week  a  week  of  prayer,  and,  before  the 
close  of  this  church  year,  every  society  will  be  quick- 


t 


im;'ch  proves 
ivaU  and  tlie 
honors  these 
'  of  Christlun 
thPHe  things, 
IJod's  humble 

Iu7.y,  shiftless 


fe  must  liitve 
our  assf^iciute 
e  matter  out 
t'.,  with  nmoh 
id  then  carry 


not    become 

ed  in  ju<)t  the 

ures    may  be 

failures  may 

1    you    could 

'imply  for  the 
ortant  factor, 
nd,  before  the 
will  be  quick- 


ened, and  thousands  of  new  voices  will  be  heard  singing 
tile  new  song.    May  Go«l  grant  it ! 

In  our  next  letter  we  will  talk  together  about  some 
particular  plans  for  revival  work  in  our  societies. 

Vour  Friend,  Fkancis  E.  Ci.akk. 


II. 
My  Dkar  Friknus: 

We  talked  together  in  our  previous  letter,  about  the 
importance  of  doing  our  share  toward  securing  th»! 
revival  blessing,  for  which  we  are  all  praying.  Let  us 
now  consider  some  more  siieciflc  plans.  I  hope  it  is  no 
longer  necessary  to  attempt  to  jirove  that  any  plans  to 
this  end  which  we  prayerfully  and  humbly  make,  honor 
the  Master  in  whose  name  and  for  whose  glory  they  are 
made.  Each  society,  of  course,  must  have  its  own 
plans;  they  must  be  flexible  and  oiK»n  to  ciiange,  and 
must  easily  respond  to  Providential  indications;  but 
here  are  some  things  that  many  societies  can  wisely  do. 

A   MEETINr.   OK  THE  COMMITTEES. 

I<et  tlie  committees  meet  together  for  this  very 
purpose— to  lay  their  plans.  If  not  all  of  them,  at  least 
let  the  lookout  and  prayer-meeting  committees  have 
such  a  meeting,— not  a  few  hurried  minutes  at  the  close 
of  a  prayer-meeting;  but  let  them  set  apart  an  evening 
for  this  purpose  when  there  will  be  plenty  of  time  for 


prayor  iinrt  oonsultatloii,  iiiitl  ha  It  »»«•  uiidf*n>tood  that 
the  jill-iniportuut  Hubjett  to  Ih)  tllficuHMcd  is  how  a  rflvival 
of  trim  rcHjrioii  hi  tlie  society  may  ho  |)iomotoil,  how  wv 
may  Uv\ug  all  our  associate  meiiihero  to  Christ  and  Into 
the  cliuivh. 

INVITK  THK    I'ASTUK. 

I  have  no  tloiiht  the  jmntor  of  the  church  will  be 
Invited  to  tlilH  meeting  of  the  connnittees,  ami  I  hope  he 
will  Ik-  there.  When  you  liuve  come  together,  after  a 
number  of  earnest  prayers  have  been  oft'ered,  I  think  you 
will  lay  out  the  work  systematically  aud  delhiltely. 

PERSONAL   EFFORT. 

You  will  not  leave  It  at  haphazard,  but  you  will  talk 
together  something  as  follows:  '-Such  a  one  can  be 
reached  in  this  way,  and  such  aiiotlwr  In  that  way." 
"A.  U.  has  more  Influence  over  C.  D.  than  anyone  else 
has ;  we  will  try  to  i»er8uadehlm  to  use  it."  "Charlie  J. 
can  help  Frank  K.  to  Christ  as  no  other  boy  can  help 
him;  we  will  see  that  Charlie  J.  is  urged  to  do  all  that 
he  can  for  Frank;"  and  '-Mary  K.  Is  always  seen  walk- 
ing to  school  arm  in  arm  w  ith  Katie  D.,  but  Katie  Is  a 
Christian,  aud  Mary  is  not.  There  Is  just  the  bond  of 
friendship  which  Christ  would  use  to  bring  Mary  K.  to 
Himself.  We  will  remind  Katie  of  her  duty,  and 
encourage  her  to  speak  that  woiil  which  she  has  been 
almost  ready  to  speak  so  often."  So  to  the  heart  of 
every  one  there  is  some  <jp«'U  highway  or  quiet  byway. 


If^rstootl  that 
liow  u  revival 
otoil,  how  we 
ii'iflt  iiiui  into 


urch  will  be 
mil  I  hope  he 
Hlier,  after  a 
I,  I  think  you 
iftiiltelv. 


you  win  talk 

I  oiiu  van   be 

II  that  way." 
any  oue  el!*e 

'    "Charlhi  J. 

boy  can  help 

to  do  all  that 

rs  seen  walk- 

)ut  Katie  U  a 

t  the  bond  of 

ig  Mary  K.  to 

er   duty,  and 

she  has  been 

the  heart  of 

qidet  byway. 


r^  \ 


If  we  can  only  find  U ;  and  a  little  thouj^ht  and  study 
and  careful,  prayerful  consideration  will  usually  enable 
us  to  And  It. 

I'LAN    Kolt    A     WARM     SIMKITUAI.     ATMOSI'HKKK    IN    THK 
SOCIKTY. 

I'erhaps  a  plan  that  should  have  been  laid  even  before 
this  one  for  |)ersoual  work  should  be  to  promote  the 
deepest  and  most  tender  spirituality  among  the  active 
members.  When  that  Is  gained,  the  revival  has  already 
come,  even  before  a  single  soul  has  been  converted.  In 
that  case  couverslous  cannot  but  be  multlplkHt  before 
long. 

Plan  for  the  next  consecration-meeting  to  have  such  a 
meeting  as  you  have  never  nad  before  In  all  the  history 
of  your  society.  If  necessary,  send  a  circular  letter  to 
every  member;  or,  better  still,  a  written  note,  reminding 
each  one  of  the  meeting,  expressinj,"  the  hope  that  it 
nuiy  be  one  of  peculiar  power,  asking  every  one  to  come 
from  earnest,  secret  prayer  to  the  meeting,  bringing  a 
blessing  as  well  as  e:;pectlng  to  take  away  a  blessing. 

Let  the  desired  i-cvlval  be  the  burden  of  the  prayers, 
aud  so  far  as  possible,  get  every  one  to  consecrate 
himself  or  herself  to  work  for  this  s|ieelal  end.  'f 
possible,  in  addition  to  this  note,  let  the  members  oi 
^  these  committees  make  a  point  of  seeing  every  active 
member,  to  impress  upon  each  one  the  Importance  of 
this  particular  meeting,  in  view  of  the  special  work 
befor**  the  society.    I  have  little  doubt  that  all  would  go 


10 


away  from  such  a  meeting  feeling  that  the  windows  of 
heavenly  blessing  were  already  opened. 

SrKClAI.  KFFORTS. 

Tlien  ask  the  pastor  if  Sunday  school  prayer-meetings 
cannot  b«'  held,  and  at  least  a  few  after-meetings  at  the 
close  of  the  Sunday  evening  service,  or  some  speiial 
evangelistic  services  in  the  schoolhouse  a  mile  away 
from  the  church.  I  haven't  a  doubt  that  he  will  be 
more  than  glad  to  encourage  these  efforts,  and  will  be 
particularly  v>leased  to  have  the  proposition  come  first 
from  the  members  of  the  society. 

But  I  haveii't  room  to  talk  about  these  special  metho«ls 
of  "drawing  tl.e  net"'  in  this  letter.  We  will  talk  them 
over  together  in  our  next. 

Your  friend.         Francis  E.  Clabk. 


h 


III. 
My  Deak  Frienks: 

The  special  revival  effort  to  he  put  fortli  by  each 
society,  of  which  we  have  been  talking,  must  be  largely 
determined,  of  course,  by  the  needs  and  opportunities 
of  each  society,  after  much  prayer  and  consultation 
with  the  pastor  and  others.  Here  are  some  suggestions 
which  have  certainly  proved  useful  in  many  places. 

THE  SINDAY   SCHOOL   I'RAYER-MEETINfi. 

Scarcely  any  line  of  evangelistic  work  is  more  hopeful 


W8  of 


etiiigs 
at  the 
ipei-ial 
away 
■ill  be 
(Till  be 
le  first 

etlMxls 
;  them 

iRK. 


Y  each 
largely 
uuities 
iltation 
estioDH 


lopeful 


* 


-Itl' 


than  the  Sunday  school  pniyer-meeting.  If  the  pastor 
is  willing,— and  better  still,  under  his  leadership  and 
guidance, — call  such  a  meeting.  Ask  all  who  will, 
teachers  and  scholars,  to  remain  after  the  Sunday 
school,  and  then  for  twenty  minutes  conduct  as  earnest 
a  gospel  meeting  as  is  possible.  Do  not  leave  it  too 
much  to  chance,  but  have  it  arranged  befo  :>hand,  so 
that  the  warmest  prayers  will  be  offereti  from  the 
warmest  hearts,  and  the  most  urgent,  sensible  and 
heartfelt  invitations  given  to  accent  Christ.  I^t  it  be 
clearly  understood  what  accepting  Christ  means  and 
involves,  and  give  the  invitation  to  any  who  would  be 
Christians  to  express  it  in  some  way.  Have  four  or  five 
of  these  meetings  on  successive  Sundays,  and  if  thry 
are  of  the  right  kind,  it  is  almost  certain  that  some  will 
declare  themselves  as  desiring  to  begin  the  Christian 
life. 

THE  WORK  JUST  BEGUN. 

Then  the  work  is  just  begun,  and  just  there  comes  ta 
the  especial  opportunity  for  the  Christian  P^ndeavor 
Society.  Then  take  these  boys  and  girls,  these  young 
men  and  v.  omen,  follow  them  up,  get  them  to  the 
weeklj'  meeting,  see  that  they  take  some  further  stand 
for  Chrfst,  set  them  at  work,  put  the  arms  of  loving 
interest  around  them ;  and  it  will  not  be  long  before  they 
have  taken  the  second  and  third  steps  in  the  Christian 
life,  and  soon  they  will  be  active  members  of  the  church 
of  God. 

The  great  thing  is  to  take  the  first  step,  and  this  the 


„■ „„,.,.-„„. 


Sundiiy  school  piayer-meetliig  enables  them  to  do, 
naturally  and  appropriately.  Moreover,  we  have  the 
younger  people  at  Sunday  school,  If  nowhere  else,  and 
until  their  iuteres;:  hits  been  aroused  and  their  hearts 
touclieil,  we  cannot  always  get  them  into  our  society 
meetings.  But  be  very  sure  not  to  drop  them  after  tliey 
have  expressed  an  interest  and  a  desire  to  follow  Christ, 
or  else  their  latter  state  may  be  worse  than  the  former. 
However  young  ami  apparently  thoughtless  they  are, 
follow  them  up  .uter  this  entering  wedge  has  l)een 
driven,  in  the  Sunday  school  prayer-meeting,  until  they 
are  thoroughly  committed  to,  and  identifle<l  with,  the 
right  side. 

THE  AFTEK  MEETlNCi. 

Another  most  effective  evangelistic  method  which  can 
be  used  in  msiny  churches,  is  the  "After  Meeting." 
Following  the  Sunday  evening  service,  let  the  invitation 
be  given  to  all  who  will  to  remain  for  a  short  prayer- 
meeting.  At  this  meeting  have  everything, — singing, 
praying,  8i>eaking, — short,  crisp,  earnest,  full  of  heart. 
At  the  end,  give  the  invitation  to  acknowledge  Christ, 
and  even  if  none  accept  it  the  ttrst  evening,  repeat  it 
the  second  and  third.  Very  likely,  however,  many  in 
your  church  are  waiting  f^r  just  such  an  opportunity 
which  they  have  not  yet  had. 

••DRAWINO   THE  NET." 

Do  not  be  afraid  of  drawing  the  net,  or  in  other 
words,  of  giving  tite  unconverted  an  opportunity  to 


13 


them  to  do, 
we  have  the 
hei-e  else,  and 
1  their  heart«4 
to  our  society 
leiu  after  tliey 
follow  Christ, 
in  the  former, 
less  they  are, 
ige  has  been 
nfr,  until  they 
ifle<l  with,  the 


lod  which  can 
ter   Meeting." 
the  invitation 
short  prayer- 
ling,— singing, 
full  of  heart, 
iv  ledge  Christ, 
ting,  repeat  it 
ever,  many  in 
n  opportunity 


express  their  decision  for  or  against  thiist.  I  do  not  by 
iiny  means  say  that  this  invitsition  should  be  given  at 
every  meeting  through  the  year,  but  in  these  special 
meetings  of  a  revival  nature  it  can  seldom  safely  be 
omitted.  Mauj',  I  know,  shrink  from  this  invitation, 
and  not  unnaturally.  They  fear  that  if  not  acceptetl  by 
any  one  it  will  result  in  more  harm  than  good.  It  is 
very  easy  to  reason  oneself  out  of  it  and  to  give  a  scon* 
of  good  reasons  for  not  extending  it,  but  these  are  often 
temptations  of  the  enemy  to  neglect  a  duty. 

By  a  few  judicious  words,  any  evil  tendencies  may  be 
avoideil,  the  real  nature  of  and  reason  for  the  invitation 
can  be  explained,  and  the  burtlen  of  accepting  or 
rejecting  it  can  be  rolled  heavily  upon  the  hearts  of 
those  who  have  never  said,  "As  for  me,  I  will  serve  the 
Lord." 

I  should  not  dare,  at  such  a  time,  to  neglect  this 
invitation,  lest  the  blootl  of  some  souls  at  last  should  be 
foirnd  on  my  soul.  At  the  sanie  time,  it  nmst  be  given 
simply  and  quietly  and  with  the  utmost  solemnity,  anti 
only  after,  and  accompanied  with,  heartfelt  pmyer. 

Thus  given  it  can  never  tlo  harm,  and  no  soul  can  say, 
"I  did  not  have  the  matter  presented  to  me  clearly  and 
definitely  by  the  Christians  who  ought  thus  to  have 
presented  it." 

VARIOUS  METHODS. 


t,  or  in  other 
tpportunity  to 


There  are  various  ways  of  drawing  the  net;  no 
St*  eotype«l  methml  can  always  be  followed,  but  In  some 
w.-y  each  soul  should  be  faced  with  the  (piestion :  "  Will 


IP 


14 


you  now  and  here   decide  for    CkrM   and   expreu   thU 

decMonr' 

There  are  alw  many  other  Ri>eclal  methods  of 
evangelistic  worit  which  can  be  devised,  but  I  will  ouly 
mention  one  more. 

ASSIGN  INUIVIUUAI.8  TO  INDIVIUIAI.S. 

ThlF  is  being  done  in  some  societies,  and  I  am  sure  the 
hnportance  of  this  method  cr.u  hardly  be  overstated. 
To  each  warm-hearted,  active  member  assign  some  one 
or  moi-e  associate  members,  or  some  one  outside  of  the 
society  altogether.  Do  this  quietly  and  discreetly. 
Do  not  parade  it,  and  if  possible,  do  not  let  the 
associate  members  knov  that  it  has  been  done. 

Then  let  the  active  member  rest  not  until  the  one 
specially  committed  to  him  has  had  every  good  influ  "ce 
thrown  around  him  which  may  bring  him  to  Christ. 
This,  too,  must  be  done  wisely  and  judiciously,  witli 
sauctifled  common-sense,  but  it  must  be  done  if  we  would 
Bee  the  results  for  which  we  are  praying  this  winter. 
These  are  only  some  of  the  methods.  But  in  some  way, 
dear  friends,  shall  we  not  so  pray  and  labor,  that  the 
angels'  song  on  Christmas  Day,  a  year  from  now,  may 
mean  more  than  It  does  now  to  thousands  of  our 
associate  members— "Glory  to  God  In  the  Highest,  on 
earth  peace,  good-will  to  men"?    God  grant  It ! 

Youi-  friend,  Fkancis  E.  Clark. 


id   expresa   thU 

I    tiietliods    of 
)ut  1  will  ouly 


>rAi.a. 

i  I  am  sure  the 
be  overstated. 
;8i^a  some  one 

outside  of  the 
iiid  discreetly, 
o  not  let  the 
done. 

until  the  one 
'  good  Influ  ■'ce 
him  to  Christ, 
idiciously,  witli 
one  If  we  would 
ng  this  winter. 
It  In  some  way, 
labor,  that  the 
from  now,  may 
usands  of  our 
:he  Highest,  on 
ant  It ! 
IS  £.  Clark. 


^HF" 


Printtd  by 

UNITED  SOCIETY  Or  CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR, 

PuMlthing  D«partm*nt, 

•O  BromficM  Strtit,  Boston,  Mm*. 


EAVOR, 


MMIHiiiiii  -  ■■ — ■■- 


'"<r«.<tMkniEiia6a»B^*Wi6ft.-i«*!*;te'iiU«M^^ 


^■■■■i 


